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Real Madrid will be aiming to end their year in style and continue their recent renaissance when they host Granada in their penultimate match of 2020.

After the doom and gloom of the Autumn, Zinedine Zidane’s side have turned things around emphatically, winning their last four matches domestically and their last five in all competitions.

In fact, Real have taken maximum 15 points since they were defeated 2-0 away at Shakhtar Donetsk on December 12, the loss that represented the nadir of their miserable run.

Since then, they’ve conceded just two goals in five matches, with Sevilla, Borussia Monchengladbach, Atletico Madric, Athletic Bilbao and Eibar all being put to the sword during an impressive December.

They head into their midweek fixtures level on points with Atletico, although they’ve played two games fewer than their city rivals and have an inferior goal difference.

The pressure may well be on Real when they host Granada, as Los Merengues could have fallen three points behind Atletico when they host Real Sociedad on Tuesday.

At the weekend, Real excelled away at Eibar, running out 3-1 winners with Karim Benzema in imperious form.

The France striker opened the scoring after six minutes—following fine work from Rodrygo—and contributed two further assists, setting up Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez to add to Real’s lead.

With Sergio Ramos back in defence alongside Raphael Varane, Real are notably more confident at the back, with Ferland Mendy and Dani Carvajal representing reliable options at full-back.

With Casemiro back from suspension, he took his place alongside Modric and the influential Toni Kroos, while Vazquez and Rodrygo enjoyed two of their strongest performances of the season flanking the lethal Benzema.

Zidane will be hoping to welcome back some of his other attacking options for the visit of Granada; Vinicius may step into the side—on the left flank—as the French coach rotates his options, while he also may include Fede Valverde as Real look to negotiate the festive period.

Valverde stepped in when Casemiro was out, and looks likely to replace Modric, who missed training on Monday after developing a muscle problem in his left leg.

The Croatia midfielder will undergo tests on Tuesday to ascertain the seriousness of the injury, and he’ll be sorely missed should he—as expected—miss out, having played a key role in Real’s recent winning streak.

Los Blancos could also welcome back Eden Hazard—at least for a place on the bench—as the Belgium superstar looks to put his latest injury misery behind him.

Things haven’t worked out for the ex-Chelsea playmaker since his arrival from the Premier League for an eye-watering fee, and Zidane must manage his fitness cautiously—easing him back into a successful side will help—as the attacking midfielder looks to get back to his best.

A fully fit Hazard would represent a major boost for Real as they look to retain their title, as the former LOSC Lille hero could be the protagonist in a strong start to 2021—if he stays fit!

Isco remains doubtful for the Granada game, while Granada have plenty of problems of their own.

Key midfielder Maxime Gonalons is out with suspension, which could open the door to Ramon Azeez or Yan Brice Eteki, while the likes of Neyder Lozano and Angel Montoro are also absent.

Victor Diaz, Fede Vico and Darwin Machis are all doubtful for the visitors.

Real are overwhelming favourites to take all three points, despite Granda’s strong start to the season.

Los Blancos won the last meeting between these two—five months ago—to extend their winning run in this fixture to 10 matches. On average, they have scored 3.4 goals per match across this run, so expect goals when the Nasrids come to the capital on Wednesday.

Granada have never won at the Bernabeu, and it would represent a major surprise should Diego Martinez be able to take maximum points in a fixture where even a draw would represent an exceptional result.

Benzema appears primed to be key once again; he has a terrific record against Granada—having scored 12 in his last 14 matches against the visitors.

He’s scored eight and contributed two assists in his last home matches against the Rojiblancos, and will be looking to punish them again.

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are not the best of friends, admits Peter Crouch, with “competition” and “selfish” streaks at Liverpool considered to be a good thing.

Jurgen Klopp had to fend off more questions regarding the attitude of his superstar forwards after making second-half changes at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The defending Premier League champions eased to a 7-0 victory at Selhurst Park, with Mane among the scorers.

He was, however, replaced by Salah shortly before the hour mark and saw the Egyptian forward make history for the Reds by scoring two and laying on another during an impressive cameo.

Mane was less than impressed at being hauled off, having previously aired his frustration towards Anfield team-mate Salah, but Crouch believes in-house rivalry is healthy among an ambitious group of players.

The former Liverpool striker told the Daily Mail: “There is only a problem around something like this if a team are losing.

“Liverpool have won everything over the past two years and I would expect them to retain the Premier League, too, given the form they have hit. But don’t kid yourself that a competition isn’t going on between Salah and Mane.

“Every forward player is selfish and these two will want to score as many goals as they possibly can — Salah, in particular, looks obsessed with his numbers right now.

“Salah came here as a winger but he has developed into one of Europe’s most prolific forwards; a goal machine. He was in the right place for his first at Crystal Palace and his second, to complete the 7-0 rout, was absolutely beautiful.

“Mane’s face, having been substituted, was a picture. He was furious and rightly so, because when you smell blood as a striker, the last thing you want is to be taken off.

“Are he and Salah the best of friends? I doubt it. But it doesn’t matter. I had strike partners who I knew never liked me. It never prevented me getting on with my job.”

Salah has moved to the top of the Premier League scoring charts this season, with 13 efforts to his name in a Golden Boot race, while Mane is stuck on five.

They have helped Klopp’s men back to the top of the table, with the Reds filling the Christmas No.1 spot for a third successive campaign.

Mikel Arteta can be the next Arsene Wenger for Arsenal, claims Gael Clichy, but the under-fire Gunners boss is going to need time in which to complete a transformation from highly-rated assistant coach into top-class manager.

FA Cup and Community Shield successes are starting to feel like a distant memory for an inexperienced Spanish tactician who is finding out the hard way how tough life at the top can be.

Arteta cut his teeth working alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City after hanging up his boots, but the transition from right-hand man to front of house has not been as seamless as he had hoped.

Former Arsenal and City defender Clichy, who briefly worked with Arteta at the Etihad Stadium, told Stadium Astro: “Pep was a bit distant with the players and Mikel was really close because he was the link.

“He is younger, has got that vibe of being a player not long ago. You can have that being a No.2, but being a No.1 can you be like that? I don’t know.

“I heard that [Carlo] Ancelotti is like that. Not many have that ability. This is a big thing. I think Mikel in a few years will be the complete manager because he will have that link with the players and he will learn how to deal with everything around the team because being a manager is not being a coach.

"Time will help him, but do we have time in football?”

Clichy added: “No.2 is not being No.1, that’s a fact. It’s very difficult to estimate how good a manager you are going to be even if you have been a great assistant.

“Pep is one of the best, if not the best coach in Europe, so being at his side for that many years for sure you will be inspired by him.

“I’m surprised to see Arteta’s team playing the way they are, because that’s not what Pep would want. I’m not saying that is what Mikel wants, but I’m sure Mikel would like something different.

“The question is, is he approaching the game with a different philosophy because he feels the players cannot give him what he wants? Or is it because he doesn’t have the players he wants?

“Confidence is a big factor but I’m sure he is the right man.”

Clichy believes Arteta now needs to be backed by the Arsenal board, despite the north London outfit slipping to 15th in the Premier League table, with the potential there for him to follow in the footsteps of a three-time Premier League title-winning manager.

The Frenchman said: “What I want to say is, are we turning all the focus around the academy or be a club like Man City that is not afraid to spend money to be competitive?

"Are we going to be a club that does a bit of both and in a good season finish in the top-half of the table and in a bad season be fighting for relegation?

“We are not talking about any club, we are talking about one of the best in England and in Europe, so you need a clear vision.

“Arsene was who he was, but he had the vision. He had young players, turned them into superstars and sold them for big profit for the club. Fans turned on him because he wasn’t doing what they wanted in winning the title but he was qualifying for the Champions League. Now you think that wasn’t so bad.

“Mikel Arteta has got that in him, he could be the next Arsene Wenger. But Arsene had all the power. Anything going through Arsenal was going through him.

“Mikel is not like that. He has players that maybe he didn’t want. He inherited players that he didn’t want for the future and his team don’t have the money to get the players he wants. He’s trying his best, he has to keep on fighting.”

Virgil van Dijk has given hope to Liverpool fans across Merseyside by sharing a recovery video showing him working on his mobility with and without a football in the gym.

Liverpool were dealt a huge blow in their defence of the Premier League title when Van Dijk was sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury in October.

The Netherlands international was forced off the pitch during a 2-2 draw against Everton in the Merseyside derby after a horror challenge from Jordan Pickford, and subsequently underwent surgery on his knee after being evaluated by the Reds' medical staff.

Van Dijk has missed 15 games across all competitions already after beginning an extensive rehabilitation programme behind the scenes at Anfield, and is not expected to return to action until well into the new year.

The 29-year-old has, however, delivered a positive update on his progress on social media at the start of the week which indicates he could make his way back to the pitch sooner than originally expected.

Van Dijk posted a video of his latest training session on Twitter with the caption "step by step", which has allowed Liverpool supporters to see a talismanic figure doing some light ball work while performing a series of weighted and bodyweight exercises.

The towering defender will play no part in the Reds' festive schedule over the next couple of weeks, but he could be available for selection again in the second half of the 2020-21 campaign as Jurgen Klopp's men continue to chase down multiple honours.

Van Dijk played a key role in Liverpool's run to a first domestic crown in 30 years last term, and has been arguably the best centre-back in European football since his record-breaking move to Anfield from Southampton in January 2018.

The Merseyside outfit have coped admirably well in his absence in recent months though, returning to the Premier League summit while also progressing to the Champions League knockout stages.

The Reds moved four points clear of second-placed Leicester in the top-flight standings after thrashing Crystal Palace 7-0 at Selhurst Park on Saturday, with a home fixture against a struggling West Brom outfit up next on December 27.

Ghana star Matthew Anim Cudjoe is already looking towards next year's Africa U20 Cup of Nations (Afcon) after helping the three-time champions secure qualification for the tournament.

Ghana, on Saturday, emerged champions of the Wafu B Cup of Nations in Benin following a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso in the final.

The Black Satellites' place in the final of the sub-regional championship guaranteed a spot at the continental gathering to be hosted by Mauritania.

“I feel good because we have been able to end a five-year jinx at this level to qualify to the Africa Cup and win the Wafu trophy,” former Asante Kotoko winger Anim Cudjoe, who had a trial stint with Bayern Munich in February and currently plays club football for Legon Cities, told

Bertrand Traore said he is settling down well at Aston Villa after opening his Premier League goal account in their 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion.

The Burkina Faso international produced an outstanding performance on Sunday, by providing an assist for Anwar El Ghazi's opener in the fifth minute and he later found the back of the net in the 84th minute.

The result sealed a seventh league win for Dean Smith's side this season as they climbed to ninth on the log with 22 points from 12 matches.

Following his move from Lyon to Villa Park in the summer, Traore suffered an injury on his first league start against Southampton in November but he is now happy with the statement he made after his commanding display at the Hawthorns on Sunday.

“When I came, I wasn’t fit enough. I worked hard with the staff to get my fitness back and then unfortunately I got injured in my first start,” Traore told the club website.

“I had to work hard to get back into the team, and now I’m trying hard to do my best and make an impact on the team.

“I’m getting there. I’m getting fitter and fitter with each game.

“I came here to give what I can bring to the team, to grow up as a player and to learn. To get assists and score goals is part of my job here.”

The former Chelsea forward also praised the Claret and Blue Army's fighting spirit to keep a clean sheet as they took advantage of Jake Livermore's red card in the 37th minute.

“It was the perfect night for the team. I’m happy to score my first goal for Aston Villa in the Premier League, but the most important thing was the three points tonight," he added.

“The most important thing was our mindset and staying focused. We were still playing like it was 11v11.

“We played well, and the whole team are happy with the win and the clean sheet.”

Gary Neville remains unconvinced by Manchester United’s “bizarre” Premier League title challenge in 2020-21, with the Red Devils legend claiming “there’s something not right” about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side despite their lofty standing.

A stunning 6-2 victory over arch-rivals Leeds last time out has lifted United into third spot.

They are now just five points adrift of leaders Liverpool while still boasting a game in hand on the defending champions.

Faultless away form has helped the Red Devils to position themselves among the frontunners, with 18 points collected from six games, while a spark finally appears to have been found at Old Trafford.

Many are suggesting that United could now be serious contenders for a first title triumph since 2013.

Neville admits that Solskjaer’s side cannot be ruled out at present, but he doubts that a bid for the ultimate prize can be sustained by a team that has struggled for consistency in recent years.

The Old Trafford icon told Sky Sports: “For Manchester United it was about closing the gap, no one ever thought they would be in a position to go so close.

“They're going to go second in the league if they can close that gap. It doesn't feel like Manchester United have played like that.

“There has been talk of the manager's job, going out of Europe was a big problem, the performances at times have been horrible.

“You just watch them and think there isn't a team emerging there who can challenge for the title. My gut feeling is to still say I don't think Manchester United are going to win the league.

“But I am surprised, it's bizarre where they are considering a couple of weeks ago you were thinking this could be difficult, a challenging period coming into Christmas, but it's looking a little bit rosier.

“Their form's really good. They're scoring goals, coming back in matches, today [against Leeds] they've played well, it's a big game against Leicester on Boxing Day, but there's something not right.

“But then when you look at where they are in the league, and they can go two points behind Liverpool, if you'd said at the start of the season they'd be in a position to do that, coming into Christmas, you'd have snapped everyone's hands off.”

United, who tumbled out of the Champions League and into the last-32 of the Europa League, are looking to complement their Premier League efforts with productive runs in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.

Marcel Desailly thinks that Frank Lampard is building hope at Chelsea once again and believes that expectations are over-inflated around the club's potential to compete for major honours.

Chelsea suffered back-to-back league defeats for the first time since December 2019 last week after Lampard's side suffered away losses to both Wolves and Everton.

The Blues were on a 17-game undefeated streak but the losses have seen Liverpool go six points clear at the top of the table and Chelsea having dropped out of the top four.

Desailly, who lined up alongside Lampard at Chelsea, thinks that this side is moving in the right direction but requires time to deliver trophies.

"He is coping well with the finances he has and he has just topped up the squad to fill gaps for the first time," Desailly told Goal, as part of the Nissan UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour. "He has also readjusted his defence.

"It was needed - and Kante is coming back from injury. Kante plays every week and he has brought stability but it is not enough. He is not a difference-maker going forward. 

"I am just happy we have hope with Lampard. We could achieve second in the league in the hope that we can eventually win it. I don’t think it is a problem not to win it but you feel like Chelsea will be around the conversation and it is the same for the Champions League.

"He hasn’t got an established team that Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho had where you felt they had to win the Premier League or Champions League. You expected it then but you are not expecting it at this time.

"I feel Lampard is doing well because the hope is there. It isn’t easy these days with the transfer market the way it is; you need to create a philosophy around a coach. I hope he has a third one and people need to believe in him and his new players.

"They lost Eden Hazard, that was a big blow. It is a matter of time and there’s so much investment from the other clubs that it is difficult to know when Chelsea will be able to win the league or Champions League. It may take more than two years."

The increase in scrutiny around Chelsea comes after they spent £220 million ($275m) in a summer where most clubs were reluctant to enter the market due to the financial implications relating to the coronavirus pandemic.

Six new signings entered Lampard's squad, including the former PSG and AC Milan star Thiago Silva. Having arrived himself with a big reputation aged 29, Desailly knows how hard it can be to adjust to the Premier League, but he thinks the 36-year-old Silva will be okay as long as he avoids injury.

"I was scared about him coming at the beginning but mentally he was strong enough to handle his mistake against West Brom," he added. "He is a leader, a former captain in Paris, but in France they say that he just fell short in the later rounds of the Champions League.

"Let’s see, he has fit well in the system and performed but we have to hope that he doesn’t get injured. At 36, as soon as you have an injury, then it is difficult to overcome."

Gareth Bale "has to push himself more", according to Glen Hoddle, who says the Real Madrid loanee's "mentality" is holding him back at Tottenham.

Bale returned to north London on a season-long loan in the summer transfer window after seven years of unprecedented success in the Spanish capital.

The Welshman won La Liga and became a four-time Champions League winner at Madrid, while scoring over 100 goals for the club across all competitions.

However, his contribution to the Blancos' cause began to dwindle somewhat after Zinedine Zidane's re-appointment as head coach in March 2019, and he only played a bit-part role in the team's run to domestic glory last season.

Spurs supporters hoped that Bale would rediscover his best form in familiar surroundings in north London, but he has so far been unable to make an impact in Jose Mourinho's set-up.

The 31-year-old has only scored twice in his first 10 appearances across all competitions for the Lilywhites this season, with Harry Kane and Heung-min Son enjoying more prominent roles in the starting XI ahead of him.

Hoddle still believes Bale has the ability to improve Tottenham's attack, but has urged him to try and get more involved in their build-up play to rebuild his confidence and affect games on a more consistent basis.

"I always said when he came back that I do not think we should expect anywhere near the same Gareth Bale that left Tottenham or achieved what he did at Real Madrid," the Spurs legend told the Evening Standard.

"Do not forget that he has not actually been playing in the main Spurs team. Jose Mourinho has not seen enough from him and I have not seen enough from him.

"Gareth has had time to get fit and has got fitter, so I do not think it is his fitness now. It is a mentality with him now.

"He has to push himself more, physically and mentally, and he could be like a brand new player waiting to join this Tottenham squad.

"He has just been on the periphery and he has to be a little bit more, ‘I am the man, you have got to give me the ball’.

"Gareth is not going to be running past four or five players like he used to but I think he can create. He has a good pass on him and with more time on the pitch he will get a good link with Harry Kane and Heung min-Son.

"One of the things Tottenham are lacking is creativity. There is not that creative spark. Gareth Bale coming back would be sensational. But he has more to show."

Former Asante Kotoko boss Frimpong Manso believes the club took a rash decision in terminating the contract of head coach Maxwell Konadu.

Last week, the Porcupine Warriors parted ways with their trainer following a surprising 1-0 home loss to Great Olympics in the Ghana Premier League.

Konadu had been at the helm of affairs since December last year, the Olympics defeat the Porcupine Warriors' first of the new season.

"The problem with the  Kotoko team has to do with midfield. We should get time for coaches so they can build their teams. Team-building takes time and club administrators must be patient," Manso, who also featured for Kotoko during his playing days, said as reported by HappyGhana.

“Sixteen players arrived this season at Kotoko and it takes time for the players to play together as a unit. Look at where some of the players came from to join the team.

"The Brazilian and some of them from Europe also needed time to get fitness because they were not playing. Some old players at the team last season also left after their contract expiration. The factors are too many.

"If they were patient it could have been better. Now the problem will linger on because the new coach will now have to adapt to the players [and] also bring in his players."

In sacking Konadu, Kotoko announced assistant coach Johnson Smith as the new head coach in the interim.

In his first match leading the dugout, Smith guided Kotoko to a 1-0 away victory over Dreams FC in the Premier League on Sunday.

Ibrahim Moro's 20th-minute strike has lifted the club to seventh on the league table.

“I cannot use just one day to build a team. I cannot take any credit as it is not logical," Smith said after Sunday's game.

“We were in the building process before the defeat to Olympics dampened our spirit. All I did was to psyche the players and make some few changes.

“We are not there yet, there are still some edges which need to be sharpened.”

Kotoko's next assignment comes in the Caf Champions League where they take on Al Hilal of Sudan in a first-round, first leg fixture at the Accra Sports Stadium on Wednesday. 

Wolves boss Nuno has shrugged off the speculation that continues to follow Adama Traore around, with those at Molineux turning a deaf ear to Liverpool and Barcelona transfer talk.

Manchester rivals United and City have also seen moves for a jet-heeled forward mooted as they seek to add more firepower to their respective ranks.

Wolves, though, have Traore tied to terms through to 2023 and remain keen on putting a new deal in place.

Contract talks have stalled for now, with no agreement reached with a highly-rated 24-year-old, but Nuno will not be losing any sleep over the lack of progress there or the links to domestic and continental rivals.

He told reporters when quizzed on Traore’s future: “He’s committed because of the actions I see every day, in his behaviour, the attitude that he has on the training sessions, in the match.

“I think normally things will go with dialogue and everything will be OK with Adama.”

Rather than concern himself with a possible future move elsewhere, Traore is currently looking to play his way back into form at Wolves.

The Spain international is yet to score a goal or provide an assist in the Premier League this season and was on the bench again for a win over Chelsea last time out.

He could earn a recall for a meeting with Burnley on Monday, with Nuno confident that Traore can play an important role during the injury-enforced absence of talismanic frontman Raul Jimenez.

The Portuguese tactician added: “I think he’s doing well. He started the season in a different position as a full-back then he went to the national team and had a problem in his ankle. It didn’t help him, he lost a lot of time in terms of preparation.

“I think he’s getting better. A lot of things of course (have) to improve but he’s committed and positive that he’s going to return to his top, top level again.

“The game is not all about goals, the game has a lot of aspects. (He is a) good player, he will get there.”

Victory over Burnley would lift Wolves back into the top half of the Premier League, with there a chance that they could head into Christmas sat in eighth spot.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remains unavailable to Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has confirmed, with the Gunners captain set to sit out a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Manchester City.

The Gabonese frontman missed a 2-1 Premier League defeat to Everton on Saturday with a muscle complaint.

Arteta claims that injury is not as problematic as it was, but his skipper is not yet ready to step back into the fold for an Arsenal team crying out for inspiration from somewhere.

“Auba is feeling much better and he was more positive yesterday [Sunday] than in the previous two days,” Arteta told reporters ahead of a meeting with City on Tuesday.

“He will have another scan in the next few days and we will see how quickly we can get him back in the team.

“But we know how important he is for us, he feels that responsibility and he is trying his best to be back fit as quickly as possible. For the rest, I don't think we're going to have any news today before training.”

While Aubameyang is stuck on the sidelines, Arsenal have been able to welcome Gabriel Martinelli back from a long-term knee injury.

He stepped off the bench at Goodison Park, but no unnecessary risks will be taken on a 19-year-old who has seen just 19 senior minutes since March.

Arteta added on the talented Brazilian forward: “We cannot put that pressure [of being the club's 'saviour] on his shoulders. It's not fair for him.

“He brings that enthusiasm that the fans can see because he's got something special, a special energy every time he steps on that field. But remember that Gabi, what he's done in the Premier League, the time that he's been with us is very limited. Let him develop, like we are doing with many other young kids that we have here.”

Martinelli could get more game time against City, as Arsenal look to find a spark in their faltering campaign, but Arteta insists Carabao Cupo glory will not mask the club’s faults in 2020-21.

The Spaniard said: “It's not enough, isolating just one competition. We have to play every competition to try to win it.

“Last season, we managed to win two of those and we have a really nice opportunity because we've done really well in the competition this year. Tomorrow's game is another step forward to be closer to winning another trophy and this is what we are going to try to do.

“But this doesn't mean that it's going to reflect on the rest or it's going to look better because at the moment - whatever happens in any other competition - in the Premier League we're nowhere near where we should be.”

Mikel Arteta is adamant that he will not quit his post at Arsenal, despite falling under ever-increasing pressure, with the Spaniard doing his best to ignore the speculation surrounding his future.

Uncomfortable questions are being asked of a rookie coach at Emirates Stadium.

Despite delivering FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs across his first 12 months in the most demanding of roles, Arteta has also overseen Arsenal’s worst start to a season since 1974-75.

It is now being suggested that he could jump before he is pushed, with the Gunners needing something to change this season, but the 38-year-old insists there is no chance of him walking.

He told reporters ahead of a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Manchester City: “I don't like to think about those steps because then I will be thinking in a negative way and I cannot do that.

“At the moment, I have to try to be as positive as I can, believe in what we're doing, try to modify things to make it work better, and stay strong. We're going through a lot of difficulties, the last thing we want to be thinking of is more problems coming up in the next few months. I'm not in that state of mind.

“I know the responsibility that I have and why I am here. Everybody knows that from a few months ago, this wasn't going to be resolved really quickly. I think that's the consciousness of everybody at the club.”

While ignoring the noise being generated outside of Emirates Stadium, Arteta claims to have been given no indication from those inside the Arsenal camp that his position is under threat.

He added: “No, from within the club everything I am feeling is just support, encouragement, and total confidence that we will get through this together.

“Externally I never read what is happening, I know more or less what is happening but I never read it: in beautiful moments I don’t read it, in difficult moments I don’t read it, I just try to focus on the job and what I have to do.

“But obviously a club of this stature deserves the best and when it is not happening, everyone is going to question what is happening. I am the most responsible one in terms of results, so I have to accept that.”

Pressed on whether the Gunners job is even tougher than he thought when taking the reins in December 2019, Arteta said: “Well, I could not think about some of the challenges we have been through this year for many different reasons, some internal at the club and some external with the pandemic.

“Then as well with some results that we have picked up in the last few months in the Premier League, but probably as well I could not imagine some of the nice moments we had when I stepped in.

“I knew the challenges that we were facing, that we had been going through for a couple of years or more already, so some really positive highlights and obviously now everything is looking a bit more negative because of our form in the Premier League.”

Arsenal will head into Christmas sat 15th in the Premier League table, with the Gunners having gone seven games without a win in the English top-flight – with that run stretching back to November 1.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has ruled Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of their Carabao Cup quarter-final fixture against Manchester City on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old missed Saturday's 2-1 loss to Everton due to tightness in his calf as the Gunners' winless run in the Premier League stretched to seven matches.

Aubameyang is yet to recover from the injury and he is not expected to feature when Manchester City visit the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta, in his team update, said the 31-year-old is feeling "much better" and he is scheduled to have more scans this week.

“Auba is not fit for tomorrow, that's for sure,” Arteta was quoted by the club website.

“He won't be playing tomorrow so we will see who is available because we have a few doubts as well in other positions.

“Auba is feeling much better and he was more positive yesterday than in the previous two days.

“He will have another scan in the next few days and we will see how quickly we can get him back in the team. But we know how important he is for us and he feels that responsibility and he is trying his best to be back fit as quickly as possible.

“For the rest, I don't think we're going to have any news today before training.”

Aubameyang has scored five goals across all competitions so far this season, including three efforts in the Premier League for Arsenal, who are 14th in the league table – four points above the drop zone.

After missing the Everton game at Goodison Park, the 2015 African Footballer of the Year took to social media to express optimism about his quick return from the sidelines.

“Hopefully is not going to take long to recover but I’m always behind my guys,” Aubameyang wrote on Instagram.

Victor Lindelof has lauded Manchester United’s strength in depth, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer able to leave Paul Pogba and Mason Greenwood out of a 6-2 victory over Leeds.

The Red Devils shuffled their pack for a meeting with arch-rivals at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Scott McTominay and Daniel James were among those drafted back into Solskjaer’s starting XI, and both made a telling contribution in a resounding win.

United, with nine substitutes now named on the bench, had an abundance of riches at their disposal against the Whites.

World Cup winners Pogba and Juan Mata were not required to step in, while England forward Greenwood and experienced Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic were also rested for 90 minutes.

They will come back into contention for a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Everton on Wednesday, with United boasting the options required to compete on multiple fronts.

“Of course, that shows the depth in the squad,“ Lindelof told MUTV when asked about a star-studded bench.

“That's very important during this period. Like I said, games are coming up quick and I don't think every player is able to play every minute of every game so that's very important for us to have players who, if they didn't play today, are ready for the next game.”

United put in a ruthless performance against Leeds, with McTominay netting twice inside the opening three minutes.

Bruno Fernandes, who bagged a brace, Lindelof and James also got in on the act, with the Red Devils up to third in the Premier League table – five points adrift of leaders Liverpool while boasting a game in hand on the defending champions.

“Obviously, it's always like that [confidence is high] when you win games of football,” Lindelof added on the mood at Old Trafford as a title challenge from the Red Devils is now talked up. 

“It gives you confidence. We're on a good run now, we've been performing good on the pitch, so hopefully we can just keep on going because we know, in this period, there's a lot of games.

“We have to recover well and be ready because some important games are coming up.”

After facing Everton in knockout competition, United have Premier League clashes with Leicester and Wolves to take them through to the end of the calendar year.

Kai Havertz "just wants to be a nice player", according to Glenn Hoddle, who says the Chelsea midfielder "has to be a little more assertive".

Havertz has struggled for form since completing a £70 million ($92m) move to Stamford Bridge from Bayer Leverkusen in September.

The 21-year-old built up a reputation as one of the best young playmakers in Europe during his time at Bay Arena, but has been unable to reach the same heights during his first few months at Chelsea.

A modest tally of four goals through 17 appearances has done little to convince supporters he was worth such a huge investment in the summer transfer market, with his latest sub-par display coming during a 2-1 defeat at Wolves last week.

Calls for Frank Lampard to drop Havertz have been widespread heading into a congested festive period, but he is line to retain his place in the Blues' starting line up when West Ham arrive at the Bridge for a crucial London derby clash on Monday night.

Although Hoddle still belives the ex-Leverkusen star will go on to fulfil his potential in west London, he wants to see the Germany international start driving forward on a more consistent basis instead of sitting back and letting games pass him by.

"At the moment Havertz is not showing anywhere near the player he was showing in Germany. He is playing a bit deeper at Chelsea and I think if he starts arriving in the penalty area a bit more then we will start to see the best of him," The ex-Chelsea player and head coach told the Evening Standard.

"He is a good player and there is more to come, but he looks like a character who needs a bit of time to settle.

"It is almost as if he just wants to be a nice player. For me, he has to be a little bit more assertive. Get himself in the box, hurt himself a little bit in the sense of his running ability to get in the box. And I think he will score goals.

"He is finding it difficult to adjust but he will get there in the end. He is still a young man and he is a good enough player to adapt to the tempo and the ferocity of the Premier League."

Timo Werner also arrived at Chelsea in the summer after a meteoric rise to prominence in Germany with RB Leipzig and, like Havertz, has so far failed to live up to expectations in the final third for Lampard's side.

However, Hoddle thinks the £47.5 million ($63m) signing, who has drawn blanks in each of his last eight outings across all competitions, has shown enough to suggest he will end up being a valuable asset for the Blues in the long-term.

"Werner will come back, he has hit a bit of a lull but I have no doubt about that. He has already shown Chelsea fans enough that he is a top player," he said.

"I think a goal here or there and he will be back to his very best. He is a top-quality player, down the middle or wide."

Gor Mahia members have given their branch council of chairmen 14 days to engage the club's Executive Committee to get a solution to the internal wrangles affecting the club.

Club chairman Ambrose Rachier and secretary-general Samuel Ochola are currently not on good terms. This has affected the entire management since most officials have taken sides.

It is for this reason, some members have opted to intervene to ensure things are streamlined for the better.

"We are all aware that since their election into office, this new Executive Committee has witnessed an endless wave after wave of turbulence, never imagined before," read part of a club statement obtained by Goal.

"Unfortunately, this is happening at a time when everyone anticipated a new era of tranquility, one that is supposed to be anchored on transparency and accountability, as had been intended by the new constitution."  

The branch chairmen have now been asked to take the initiative in harmonising the management and provide a report on the matter.

"It is on this premise that we hereby give you 14 days, from the date of receipt of this letter, to initiate an engagement with the warring factions of the Executive Committee, with an aim of finding a lasting solution to the challenges. We expect a report within the next 28 days from the date of the receipt of this letter," the statement added.

"The bigger objective of this engagement should be to ensure that peace and harmony prevail amongst the Executive Committee members, a tranquility that is triggered by transparency and accountability, and as had been intended by the new constitution.

"Should the Executive Committee fail to engage with you on this/continue working in disharmony, then we as the bonafide registered members, together with the larger fan base, shall communicate the next point of action."   

The members believe the reigning Kenyan champions should be on par with the best on the continent.

"With all the existing, available opportunities, GMFC ought to be a giant of a football club in Africa. We should be wallowing in the highest league of prosperity, with the other top teams in Africa: Esperance, TP Mazembe, Sundowns," it continued.

"Unfortunately, we have never realized this potential due to these endless cycles of disharmony in the Executive Committee. 

"We as bonafide registered members of the club, we have had enough of this and we are saying, enough is enough."  

Gor Mahia are scheduled to play Algerian side CR Belouizdad on Wednesday in the second preliminary round of the Caf Champions League. However, the players are still on a go-slow protesting their unpaid dues. 

The club has also experienced problems in travelling to the country, and even requested the first leg encounter to be postponed, a request Caf denied.

NorthEast United suffered their first loss in this edition of Indian Super League (ISL) when they went down 1-0 to Jamshedpur FC in their previous match. They had a bad day at the office and manager Gerard Nus wants to make amends when they take on a struggling Odisha FC on Tuesday evening. 

But the Spaniard does not want to make the mistake of taking Odisha lightly as he believes that the Juggernauts have enough quality in their ranks to trouble his side.

"I think it will be a good test tomorrow because obviously, after a defeat it's always a challenge to see how we are going to react. I have no doubt that we are going to react, and fight in every single game. We want to go for victory tomorrow with respect to a side that we know has not got the results they wanted but at the same time, we know how good a side they have. In the last game, they lost 2-1 against Bengaluru which is one of the bigger teams in the competition and they competed well.

"For example, we know that they got good central backs and they are very good at setpieces. So we need to understand that we are playing against a great side. You have seen Diego (Mauricio), how he scored two of the three goals they scored, and Onwu who is a top striker. We know how dangerous they are but we need to pay attention to ourselves first and be ready for the challenge," stated the coach.

NorthEast United have been solid at the back as they prefer to absorb the pressure and hit on the counter. However, Nus does not think that makes his side defensive as the Highlanders have been creating enough goal scoring opportunities. 

"We are not a defensive team, like what I have heard. We are a team who knows how to attack and at the same time, we know how to defend. We need to stick to these things and convert our chances. That was basically what was lacking in the last game.

"The most difficult thing in any football game is scoring goals and that happens to every team. I know that we are creating chances. So I am not worried and I know that the goals will come and tomorrow will be a perfect chance for us to prove it. I think it's an opportunity for all of us to stick together more than ever. I'm sure that the team is committed. We are going to be an offensive team tomorrow and go for the three points."

Although they have suffered only one loss till now, they have already dropped 11 points and currently sit fourth on the table with 10 points from seven matches. Nus acknowledged that there is enough room for improvement as his side must convert the draws to wins. 

"I see the table right now and I see NorthEast are in the play-off position. That's something that no one can take away from us and something that we should be proud of, but obviously, we want more. We know that is so challenging. Sometimes you feel that every last game you draw, you deserve to win. The last game, at least we deserved to draw but that's my feeling. The point is, we are where we are so far and we have to keep doing the good things and obviously learn from our mistakes so that things will get better."

The former Liverpool academy coach is open to tweaking the style of play against Odisha to have more possession. He wants to get a win and to do that he thinks that having the ball is the means to it. 

"I think Odisha had the ball more than ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru if I'm not mistaken. They are a team that try to play out and do it quite well. They build up from the back and try to have a lot of players in the midfield. So obviously, when you have the ball you can do something with it and become dangerous. So we want to have more of the ball as for us, it's more about controlling the game. When you control the game, you have more chances against the opponent and this is our main priority," signed off Nus.